The important thing is; leaf chemistry
When I decided to write about this article and read the resources on the subject, I inevitably remembered my high school years. As a science and mathematics student, we have to deal with what I will talk about shortly. In fact, thanks to our chemistry teacher, I can still memorize most of the periodic table, including the mass weights and rows of the elements. Of course, knowing this by heart is debatable, but at that time, it was one of the prerequisites for getting good grades from exams, especially sudden oral exams.
Fortunately this time, I am not stressed like I was in high school, neither learning about it nor writing it now. So why did I talk about chemistry so much? It is very simple, chemistry and chemical elements play a big role in all stages, from the seed of tobacco to the formation of cigars. The amount of H2O you will give to the seed, then, in line with the elements in the soil and their ratios, the color, texture and taste of the leaf, and then, during the fermentation period, the leaf gets rid of the NH3 it contains - that is, ammonia - etc. they are all within the scope of chemistry. But don't be afraid, my goal is not to start a chemistry class. In this article, I will only tell you how the leaf derives its most important properties from the soil by means of which elements.
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Chlorine elements found in the soil are among the main elements affecting the quality of tobacco. Well, what is the benefit or harm of these elements in the soil or not?
Nitrogen: Nitrogen is one of the main factors in the general nutrition and development of the tobacco plant, and especially its leaves. The element that regulates and balances the chlorophyll, protein and nicotine values of the leaf. A healthy leaf should have a Nitrogen value of about 2-5%. Values below 1.5% mean unhealthy. The leaves of the plant that cannot find enough nitrogen in the soil become light green, the number of leaves is low and the stump remains. However, the lower leaves of the plant, which will flower late, may fall off with early yellowing. Tobacco leaf, which lacks the main nutrient, is also completely flavorless when smoked. Of course, however, in us humans, just as eating too much and being obese is harmful, too much nitrogen is not beneficial to the plant, it is harmful. For example, the leaves of the plant with excessive nitrogen take on a very dark color and grow. Cigars wrapped in the leaves of such plants have a bitter and aggressive taste when smoking, as well as a burning problem. We'll see, even if it's nitrogen, everything tastes good.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a very important element for tobacco, like nitrogen. Phosphorus, which is given more than it can get from the soil, has the effect of accelerating photosynthesis, accelerating maturation and increasing carbohydrate values. Absorption on the plant side is proportional to temperature. The most ideal conditions are the soil between 14-21 degrees and 5.0-6.0 Ph. Phosphorus, unfortunately, is not always present in the soil in sufficient quantities for the development of the plant, so phosphorus loading is done to the plant either before the seedlings are planted in the soil or immediately after they are planted. Phosphorus deficiency can be understood by dark and horizontally growing leaves. The lack of phosphorus during smoking reveals itself from dark ash.
Potassium: The absorption of this element, which is normal for the plant to be as high as 10%, is quite high by the plant. Values below 3% are considered unhealthy. Potassium directly affects the color, aroma and the quality of its combustion during smoking. In addition, ash is one of the main building blocks. It balances and suppresses other elements such as potassium and chlorine that may impair the quality of the leaf. Besides, it has the ability to protect the plant against diseases and epidemics. In a way, it keeps the immune system strong. Potassium deficiency can also be detected from the too dark leaves. Its deficiency also causes yellow spots that start at the tip of the leaf and spread towards the middle vein, and the leaf dries and falls off.
Calcium: Along with potassium, it is the main element of ash. Its deficiency causes the leaves to shrink and appear eaten by pests. Again, as with Nitrogen, its excess causes more harm than good, allowing them to look shaggy, wavy and pale. Again, it has an adverse effect on the maturation of tobacco and causes problems in burning during smoking.
Magnesium: It is the element that plays a major role in the white color of ash. Many producers therefore even overload plants with magnesium to give the impression of quality. This is easily evident from the scaly ash structure. Although it acts directly on ash, it has very low levels of potassium and calcium - in the range of 0.4-1.5%. In its deficiency, the leaves begin to wilt from the outside to the inside and from the top to the bottom.
Chlorine: Chlorine is known for its harms rather than its benefits, yet it is a very important element for tobacco and tobacco. The fact that it is around 0.5% in dry leaves provides the flexibility to the leaf, which is important for easy processing.
Although I said I was not going to attend chemistry class, I guess it was a little lab-smelling upstairs. But still, I believe that I have touched on an important issue.
Of course, we do not have the means to analyze the soil in which the tobacco grows, but, at least, when we smoke our cigar, we have the opportunity to analyze the soil in which it grows, from a few characteristics. As you know, the structure of the soil changes every year. Therefore, I think it would be enjoyable to try and discuss the differences in the soil while smoking the same brand and vitola cigars of different years.
Have a pleasant smoke for you all ...